Aurum Biosciences
Aurum Biosciences is a Glasgow-based clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing ABL-101, a perfluorocarbon-based injectable oxygen carrier functioning as a theranostic for acute ischemic stroke treatment and inflammation imaging. The company is pre-revenue and licensing-focused, targeting Phase 2 trials in 2026.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersGlasgow, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Aurum Biosciences does
Aurum Biosciences is a UK clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company founded in 2015 as a spinout from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, InnoScot Health, and the University of Glasgow. Headquartered at the Imaging Centre of Excellence at Glasgow's Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, the company is developing ABL-101, an injectable perfluorocarbon-based oxygen carrier approximately 45 times smaller than a red blood cell. ABL-101 is designed to bypass vascular blockages and deliver oxygen directly to ischemic tissue, addressing what the company estimates is a treatment gap affecting 90% of acute ischemic stroke patients globally who currently receive no direct therapy. The intended end users are acute stroke patients, with follow-on indications explored in spinal cord injury, cardiac arrest, traumatic brain injury, and heart attack.
The platform is differentiated by its theranostic capability, acting simultaneously as therapy and diagnostic. ABL-101 pairs with the proprietary Glasgow Oxygen Level Dependent (GOLD) MRI technique to identify salvageable brain tissue (penumbra) through direct metabolic imaging, and can also be visualised via fluorine-19 (19F) MRI as an inflammation contrast agent following macrophage uptake. Five granted patent families protect the platform, with IP coverage extending into the 2040s. The company has completed Phase 1 and Phase 2a studies in 43 patients with a reported good safety profile, and is preparing two Phase 2 trials for 2026/2027 — an acute stroke trial in India and a carotid arteriosclerosis imaging trial in Switzerland under SwissMedic approval.
Aurum is pre-revenue and operates a licensing-and-partnership business model. Future revenue is intended to derive from product sales and licensing royalties, with a £10m Series A currently being raised to fund Phase 2 development, manufacturing scale-up in India, and out-licensing agreements. Backers include Wellcome Trust, Scottish Enterprise, InnoScot Health, Tricapital Angels, and Infinion Biopharma; strategic partners include Tenax Therapeutics (US development rights) and the University of Lausanne (imaging collaboration). Targeted near-term monetisation milestones are a 2028 inflammation imaging licensing deal and Indian market authorisation by 2031.
Aurum Biosciences firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Aurum Biosciences
- Legal name
- Aurum Biosciences Ltd
- Website
- https://aurumbiosciences.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Aurum Biosciences is a Glasgow-based clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing ABL-101, a perfluorocarbon-based injectable oxygen carrier functioning as a theranostic for acute ischemic stroke treatment and inflammation imaging. The company is pre-revenue and licensing-focused, targeting Phase 2 trials in 2026.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Aurum Biosciences industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Acute Stroke Therapeutics
- NAICS
- Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Medical Laboratories (621511)
- SIC
- Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836), In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Cardiology & Vascular Specialty Pharmaceuticals (HLAIACAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Cardiometabolic Pharmaceuticals (Cardiovascular/Diabetes/Obesity) (HLAIAAAE), Thrombectomy, Embolic Protection & Stroke Intervention Devices (HLAHAFAJ), Respiratory Monitoring & Oximetry (Capnography, Pulse Oximeters, Respiratory Rate) (HLAHAGAI), Blood Oxygen & Respiratory Monitoring (Pulse Oximetry, Capnography, Spirometry) (HLAHACAD)
Keywords
Where Aurum Biosciences is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Glasgow
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Aurum Biosciences business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- ABL-101 Product Sales: Revenue from sales of ABL-101 as a therapeutic and diagnostic product for acute ischemic stroke and inflammation imaging once regulatory approvals are obtained. Target market authorisation in India by 2031, with global licensing discussions.
- Inflammation Imaging Licensing: Licensing revenue from the inflammation imaging technology as a standalone commercial product, with licensing target of 2028 ahead of full stroke market authorisation.
- Strategic Partnerships and Licensing: Partnership deals with pharmaceutical companies for development and commercialisation rights in various territories, such as the Tenax Therapeutics agreement for US market development.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Aurum Biosciences product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Aurum Biosciences is developing ABL-101, an injectable perfluorocarbon-based oxygen carrier that is 45 times smaller than a red blood cell and functions as a theranostic, simultaneously delivering oxygen directly to dying tissue and enabling MRI-based metabolic imaging to identify salvageable brain tissue in acute ischemic stroke patients. The product is currently in Phase 2 clinical development, with two trials planned for 2026/2027 — an acute stroke trial in India and a carotid arteriosclerosis inflammation imaging trial in Switzerland — and is pursuing market authorisation in India by 2031.
Product overview
Aurum Biosciences is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing ABL-101, a perfluorocarbon-based injectable oxygen carrier that is 45 times smaller than a red blood cell. ABL-101 functions as a theranostic (therapy + diagnostic), simultaneously delivering oxygen to oxygen-deprived tissue and enabling MRI-based metabolic imaging to identify salvageable tissue. The company's pipeline includes Phase 2 clinical trials for acute stroke (India) and carotid arteriosclerosis inflammation imaging (Switzerland). Follow-on indications being developed include heart disease, cardiac arrest, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, and oncology.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- ABL-101 ABL-101 is an injectable perfluorocarbon-based oxygen carrier that is 45 times smaller than a red blood cell, functioning as a theranostic (combined therapy + diagnostic). It bypasses blockages and collateral vessels to deliver oxygen directly to dying tissue in acute ischemic stroke, while simultaneously enabling MRI-based metabolic imaging via the proprietary Glasgow Oxygen Level Dependent (GOLD) technique to identify salvageable brain tissue and fluorine-19 MRI for inflammation imaging in atherosclerotic plaques.
Companies that use Aurum Biosciences
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Aurum Biosciences technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Aurum Biosciences partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.
- University of Lausanne / Dr Ruud van HeeswijkmajorMRI research collaboration with Dr Ruud van Heeswijk's group testing ABL-101 as 19F inflammation imaging contrast agent. Currently running Phase 2 carotid arteriosclerosis imaging trial approved by SwissMedic.
- Tenax TherapeuticsmajorUS specialty pharmaceutical company (NASDAQ: TENX) based in North Carolina. Agreement gives Aurum full rights to develop Oxycyte in stroke. Originally licensed Oxycyte product for TBI with stroke indication development rights. Strategic R&D and commercial partnership for US market.
- University of GlasgowcoreLong-term research collaboration developing the GOLD MRI technique. GEMRIC pre-clinical 7T scanner facility. Co-developed Glasgow Oxygen Level Dependent imaging technology. Source of original technology spinout.
- NHS Greater Glasgow and ClydecoreOriginal spinout partner in 2015 along with InnoScot Health and University of Glasgow. Clinical trial site at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. Source of clinical expertise and original technology development.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Aurum Biosciences competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- HbO2 Therapeutics: HbO2 Therapeutics is developing Hemopure (bovine HBOC) for anaemia and ischaemic indications. Direct peer in the blood substitute/oxygen carrier therapeutic class with comparable mechanism (oxygen delivery to hypoxic tissue).
- Prolong Pharmaceuticals: Prolong Pharmaceuticals is developing Sanguinate, a hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier for sickle cell disease and ischaemic conditions. Comparable as a therapeutic oxygen carrier targeting tissue oxygen deprivation, though using a different mechanism.
- NuvOx Pharma: NuvOx Pharma is developing NanO2, an injectable perfluorocarbon-based oxygen carrier for stroke, heart attack, and cancer indications. Direct peer to Aurum given shared PFC oxygen-carrier mechanism and overlapping clinical indications.
Emerging players
- NoNO Inc. NoNO Inc. is a clinical-stage biotech developing therapeutics for acute ischaemic stroke and traumatic brain injury. Emerging peer in the same clinical indication space (acute stroke neuroprotection) with comparable stage and target patient population.
Broad incumbents
- Penumbra: Penumbra is a larger, established medical device company with a leading stroke thrombectomy portfolio. Adjacent incumbent operating in the same acute stroke intervention space that ABL-101 ultimately aims to expand treatment access within.
- Tenax Therapeutics: Tenax Therapeutics is a US specialty pharmaceutical company (NASDAQ: TENX) and Aurum's existing US development partner for stroke. Comparable as a small-cap clinical-stage pharma focused on critical care / cardiovascular indications.
- Lantheus Holdings: Lantheus Holdings is an established radiopharmaceutical/diagnostic imaging company. Relevant peer given the imaging/contrast-agent dimension of ABL-101's theranostic platform and comparable commercial diagnostic imaging business model.
- Bracco Imaging: Bracco Imaging is a global diagnostic imaging contrast agent company. Relevant peer given ABL-101's theranostic contrast/diagnostic imaging application using 19F MRI and GOLD technique.
Market position
Strengths1 record
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Aurum Biosciences social profiles
Digital presenceAurum Biosciences financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Aurum Biosciences leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Aurum Biosciences funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors6 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Aurum Biosciences M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Aurum Biosciences
What does Aurum Biosciences do?
Aurum Biosciences is developing ABL-101, an injectable perfluorocarbon-based oxygen carrier that is 45 times smaller than a red blood cell and functions as a theranostic, simultaneously delivering oxygen directly to dying tissue and enabling MRI-based metabolic imaging to identify salvageable brain tissue in acute ischemic stroke patients. The product is currently in Phase 2 clinical development, with two trials planned for 2026/2027 — an acute stroke trial in India and a carotid arteriosclerosis inflammation imaging trial in Switzerland — and is pursuing market authorisation in India by 2031.
Is Aurum Biosciences a public or private company?
Aurum Biosciences is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Aurum Biosciences founded?
Aurum Biosciences was founded in 2015. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Aurum Biosciences based?
Aurum Biosciences is headquartered in Glasgow, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Aurum Biosciences make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. ABL-101 Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are inflammation Imaging Licensing and strategic Partnerships and Licensing.
Who are Aurum Biosciences's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are HbO2 Therapeutics, Prolong Pharmaceuticals and NuvOx Pharma. NoNO Inc. is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Penumbra, Tenax Therapeutics, Lantheus Holdings and Bracco Imaging.
Does Aurum Biosciences have an API?
No public API is recorded for Aurum Biosciences.
What industry is Aurum Biosciences in?
Aurum Biosciences's product category is Acute Stroke Therapeutics. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAIACAG, Cardiology & Vascular Specialty Pharmaceuticals, with a secondary code of HLAIAAAE, Cardiometabolic Pharmaceuticals (Cardiovascular/Diabetes/Obesity). Its NAICS code is 541714 and its SIC code is 2836.